Happy Thoughts

This week's Write on Wednesday prompt:

How do you find positive things to write about in these troubled times? Do you think the written word has the power to effect positive change?



Although times are truly depressing, I try really hard not to let this effect my writing. Truthfully, even though I love for people to read my works, I write for myself. It is the passionate part of my creative side and it has to come out one way or another.

I try to stay positive by writing about my children or my family. I'm working on journals for my oldest 2 daughters - both are getting married this year - so this is an upbeat project with lots of happy memories. As far as blog posts are concerned, I try hard to stay away from negative topics, but if I'm going to be negative, it is usually on my Rants blog - after all, what are rants for?

I do think the written word has the power to effect positive change. I have personally been effected by some of the words I've read. In the new age of Obama, his written words are translated in the speeches he gives, and I have been inspired by his optimism and passion.

One of my favorite quotes of Abraham Lincoln is:

"All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind."

This is what I try to do in my life, plant flowers instead of thistles, but sometimes it is not as easy as it sounds.

After suffering debilitating depression for much of my adult life and unstoppable grief for the past few years, trying to remain upbeat has been a struggle for me. But I know I'm the one setting the example in my family, so if I don't pull myself together the family might come unraveled. So I try to start each day with a positive thought and I end each day with a positive thought - this is not easy, but it is something I try to do. Believe it or not, writing these positive thoughts in a journal makes the thought more real, more concrete.

Looking back over these old journals, I am constantly surprised at the positive energy I was able to convey with just my written words.

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